Acting Johannesburg Mayor Kenny Kunene led a surprise operation yesterday, resulting in the arrest of more than 45 foreign nationals in a clampdown on hijacked buildings and illegal utility connections. The raid, conducted alongside Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and City Power officials, is part of a broader effort to reclaim unlawfully occupied properties and curb illegal electricity and water usage.
Arrests and Ongoing Operations
The detained individuals, suspected of violating immigration laws and illegally occupying buildings, have been handed over to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Home Affairs for further processing. However, Mayor Kunene expressed frustration over delays in prosecution, stating that while JMPD makes arrests, SAPS and Home Affairs must follow up with affidavits and legal proceedings.
Today, authorities continued their crackdown, targeting businesses and residences in the Johannesburg CBD and surrounding areas, including Randburg. Among the locations raided was a suspected hijacked building where a Pakistani national allegedly operated a business without proper documentation. City Power disconnected illegally sourced electricity, while emergency services declared the structure unsafe.
Broader Impact on Infrastructure and Service Delivery
Kunene emphasized that illegal occupations and utility theft severely impact the city’s revenue and infrastructure. Over 600 buildings are reportedly not paying rates and taxes, while illegal water and electricity connections strain resources meant for law-abiding residents.
“These illegal connections contribute to power shortages and infrastructure decay,” Kunene said, citing collapsed bridges and vandalized public property. He also raised concerns about exploitation, alleging that some undocumented migrants are paid “slave salaries,” displacing South African workers.
Next Steps
The city plans to work with social development agencies to relocate homeless individuals occupying bridges and buildings, followed by demolishing illegal structures. Kunene warned that operations would expand, targeting more hijacked properties and businesses violating bylaws.
Meanwhile, Home Affairs has pledged increased involvement to verify migrants’ legal status, though challenges remain in processing detainees efficiently.
As the crackdown continues, Johannesburg officials urge residents to report illegal occupations and utility theft, vowing to restore order in the city’s struggling infrastructure.
